Looking for a new pack

[Blinginpse]

I've exactly done what your looking to do with both the EXO 5500 and a 26'' Kifaru with a Kuiu 6000 bag on it. I fit my Sitka Fanatic set, vest, harness, and all the other crap it takes to sit for the day and still put an entire bone in 3 1/2 yr old buck inside.
Put an even bigger buck in the Kuifaru 6000 last season minus one front quarter (thank you wife).
One thing I would suggest is a side zip of some sort because a top loader of these sizes can be a pita in a treestand. There kind of a bottomless pit.

The new exo I believe has a front double zip. And reckoning has a front zip too.

 

[Blinginpse]

Spoke with exo. They have torso adjustement on just 1 frame. Small waist belt ranger green in 3500 is 549$. 5500 is 599$.

My question is what back would likely fit better since kifaru I guess is a frame made closer to my range rather than a 1 size fits most like the exo? Little price difference there between the 2 and the exo is about 4.12#-5.1#

 

[ElkNut1]

The Exo 3500 is a tough pack to beat! It carries in excess of 100# loads no problem & weighs under 4# -- One hell of a pack that swallows up elk quarters on or off the bone! I've packed them out both ways with this awesome pack!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[camping1601]

FWIW this seasons plan is to fasten a 24'' Bikini frame (bought two of them) to my climber and just strap my normal stand pack to it for hikes in and out. Figure I can haul my stand out and at least one quarter and then get the big pack and go back for the second load.
That's pretty much what I've done forever with the Molle system on the climber but wouldn't want to add anymore weight than a climber and gear to that setup.

I'm just not a fan of big packs up a tree with me.

 

[Blinginpse]

The Exo 3500 is a tough pack to beat! It carries in excess of 100# loads no problem & weighs under 4# -- One hell of a pack that swallows up elk quarters on or off the bone! I've packed them out both ways with this awesome pack!

ElkNut/Paul

What is your height and weight? I'm
5'9 150#. How does the pack fit you? Do you feel a pack more fit for your size like kifaru would carry better or does the size adjustment not affect you much?

 

[austinphps]

Would that frame fit another kind of bag?

I've asked a price for what's left and pics too

That's what I was getting at; the 650 was for the entire package, since he sold off some pockets his price should drop

 

[camping1601]

Spoke with exo. They have torso adjustement on just 1 frame. Small waist belt ranger green in 3500 is 549$. 5500 is 599$.

My question is what back would likely fit better since kifaru I guess is a frame made closer to my range rather than a 1 size fits most like the exo? Little price difference there between the 2 and the exo is about 4.12#-5.1#

I have all three of their stay options and have put Alum. in all three of my Kifaru's. Being able to bend them to your own back profile is one of the things that separate Kifaru from the others. IMO

 

[Blinginpse]

I have all three of their stay options and have put Alum. in all three of my Kifaru's. Being able to bend them to your own back profile is one of the things that separate Kifaru from the others. IMO

The kifaru fella did tell me that yesterday.

 

[Blinginpse]

How do you guys like the side weapon carry on the exo vs the weapon being in the back of the bag?

 

[fort fireman]

Just to muddy the water for you a bit but I used the SJK bounty last year. I didn't pack out any deer last fall but I did pack out a turkey with it along with my entire camp this past spring.
I won't claim it is on the same level as the other pack mentioned in this thread but for a couple hundred bucks versus 5-6-800 bucks I think it is a good pack.

 

[fort fireman]

Ok, I tried to post off of Photobucket and it wouldn't let me. I guess they have screwed me like others have mentioned in another thread.

I tried to post a pic of my pack loaded and packing my turkey out but no go. Sorry.

 

[Blinginpse]

Ok, I tried to post off of Photobucket and it wouldn't let me. I guess they have screwed me like others have mentioned in another thread.

I tried to post a pic of my pack loaded and packing my turkey out but no go. Sorry.

Go get the google images app. Or star loading to google images. It's pretty awesome

 

[ElkNut1]

Blinginpse, I'm 5'7" 150# & my son is 5'8" 165# -- We both have identical packs! We've owned the Kifaru with bikini frame (older style) & it isn't what this Exo is by a fair margin. (I know Kifaru has different styles to choose from now) I can say this Exo is so darn good I don't even consider another pack these days, 100# loads are as good as it gets. It certainly works for us!

p.s. We've packed bulls off the mountain with just about everything out there minus a couple & the Exo has been tops!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[Blinginpse]

Blinginpse, I'm 5'7" 150# & my son is 5'8" 165# -- We both have identical packs! We've owned the Kifaru with bikini frame (older style) & it isn't what this Exo is by a fair margin. (I know Kifaru has different styles to choose from now) I can say this Exo is so darn good I don't even consider another pack these days, 100# loads are as good as it gets. It certainly works for us!

p.s. We've packed bulls off the mountain with just about everything out there minus a couple & the Exo has been tops!

ElkNut/Paul

Can you tell me what really sets them exo to the kifaru apart in what you like the most from your times of usage

 

[ElkNut1]

For me, it was ease of splitting down the pack from frame & installing & securing meat quickly. 2nd, adjusting pack from low to high when weight was added & then lowering entire pack for all day hunts. 3rd, the unreal comfort with 100# loads. My Kifaru could not come close to handling that type of weight & was not easy at all to split the pack & frame to load. Maybe they've addressed that agenda but the Exo is too good to easily give up! (grin) It's comfort puts a smile on my face! (grin)

ElkNut/Paul

 

[Blinginpse]

For me, it was ease of splitting down the pack from frame & installing & securing meat quickly. 2nd, adjusting pack from low to high when weight was added & then lowering entire pack for all day hunts. 3rd, the unreal comfort with 100# loads. My Kifaru could not come close to handling that type of weight & was not easy at all to split the pack & frame to load. Maybe they've addressed that agenda but the Exo is too good to easily give up! (grin) It's comfort puts a smile on my face! (grin)

ElkNut/Paul

Very very well put. You make it hard to turn away from the exo. I'm trying to find the cubic inches of the specific main bag on the badlands sacrifice but I can't even get badlands website to work. Saying pack is total 3450" where I thought was 3800". If that's the case that 3500 exo or kifaru would be all I'd need.

Elknut is making a very hard case On the exo.

 

[Blinginpse]

 

[rockmail2]

I see that exo is having a sale. Would the 3500 with with cargo panel and hip Attachments be a solid enough pack? Or could
I buy used exo and get by maybe a little cheaper? I know they aren't cheap and I don't mind someone's light used but in good shape

What sale are you talking about? I don't see anything but I'm hoping you're right!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[fatrascal]

So you could not fit all of your whitetail into your pack with your gear so you definitely need something bigger especially if you are going elk hunting in 2019. But with that being said, usually you need to make more than one trip if you get something down and need to pack out meat and all of your stuff. I feel that a bigger pack in the 5,500 cu range is a good choice. I like the sound of the Reckoning which has addressed the issue of putting the meat between the bag and the frame.
Many pack companies sell a frame which is unadjustable. If it fits your back and feels good then thats great. But if it does not fit your back then you have to start over and find something that does. Most high end packs have torso adjustment but you cannot shape the stays to match your back on all packs. The Kifaru aluminum stays can be shaped to fit your back. If your buddy needs to borrow your pack then you pull out the stays and adjust them to his back. I
have no experience with EXO, Stone Glacier, or Seek Outside and they might be great. But do they adjust to a custom fit? When you spend this kind of money your looking for comfort above anything else while packing heavy weight.
Another thing to think about is the accessories or attatchments. With a lid and add on pockets you might be able to get away with a smaller pack. I think most of the packs mentioned give lid and add on options. Personally I like a big pack with add on pockets and lid but I hunt differently than you. Hope this gave you more things to help you decide on picking your future pack. All sound like they have Pro's and Con's. One thing is for sure. I feel like you will notice a comfort difference with one of the higher end packs as compared to the lower end packs. Goodluck. Fatrascal.

 

[Blinginpse]

What's the difference in a 2015 exo 3500 and the the new 2017? I see what they've done for 2017 so what was 2015 lacking or needing?

I've pm the fella who just put a 2015 3500 on here and am
Awaiting pics tonight.